Updates on the MCPS Environmental Engagement and Sustainability

Is your school a certified Maryland Green School? 

The Maryland Green Schools Certification Program, sponsored by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), is a nationally-recognized program that allows schools and their communities to evaluate their efforts in environmental sustainability. Participating schools encourage sustainability, foster environmental literacy, and empower students to make changes to reduce their environmental impact. As of 2022, ninety-one MCPS schools have voluntarily earned and maintained MAEOE Green School certification. Click here for a list of those schools.  Email sustainability@mcpsmd.org for more details.

Solar Decathlon includes high school students this year! 

Solar Decathlon is excited to expand its impact to include high school students! In this new program, SD Pathways, teachers, and students will get a clean energy career talk with an interactive Q&A session at the end. The conversation will focus on high-performance buildings, clean energy, educational paths, and possible careers. Ask your teacher-sponsore to sign up here!

MCPS Adopts Transformative Sustainability Policy. 

On June 28, 2022, the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted a transformative sustainability policy. Titled  Policy ECA, Sustainability, the policy commits the school district to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, in line with the County's  Climate Action Plan. To achieve this, the policy centers on environmental sustainability in every aspect of MCPS, from the type of energy powering school buildings to the depth of climate change education students receive in the classroom. 

October is Energy Awareness Month.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy designates October as Energy Awareness Month. Using energy wisely makes sense – both for the environment and for economics.  Visit www.need.org/energyawarenessmonth to learn more about how to make your energy choices more efficiently.  Find out about classroom activities that connect well to student homes as many families approach the winter heating season.